Barns will have new lease of life as a community centre
Two barns in the heart of the village are set to be converted into a new community centre for the benefit of the parish and visitors.
The parish council has acquired the Cott Yard barns and on Saturday an official launch is taking place to kick-start fund-raising for the refurbishment.
Chairman of the parish council Andrew Bellringer said: "The Cott Yard barns are a well-loved set of former farm buildings in the heart of our village.
"They have been acquired by the parish council through the generosity of their former owner, Agnes Oliver."
The barns were originally used by the Oliver family as an abattoir and milking shed.
According to stories, the cattle would be slaughtered on a Thursday and the meat immediately distributed around the area as there were no freezers to keep the meat fresh for any length of time.
They were also used as a milking shed with people coming with all sorts of containers, including lemonade and beer bottles, to obtain fresh milk straight from the cows.
Martin Eddy, project coordinator, hopes to bring the buildings into a mix of commercial and community use. Martin said: "There are a variety of potential uses and we are talking to the district and county councils about delivering council services from these buildings. We would also like to see some local businesses develop into the premises to help with local employment."
At the official launch of the project there will be a chance to look around the barns, study the plans that have been prepared and make suggestions as to their future use.
There will also be an historical archive of the barns with photographs and a chance for people to purchase a roof slate. Saturday's event will be the first of many throughout 2008 and 2009 to raise money for the barns.
A festival on August bank holiday next year is being planned which will include a carpet of flowers and displays in St Neot Church.
Organiser Bridget Kent said: "St Neot is famous for its festivals and it's a chance for everyone in the parish to pull together. This time we will be raising funds for Cott Yard and we've already started planning. People can come along at the launch and sign-up to be part of a team to help in the festival."
Local people have already started to raise funds to bring the buildings into community use. About £1,400 was raised at a tea room open day earlier this year. An Gwethji Te tea rooms will be open from midday on Saturday serving soup, tea and cakes and committee members and parish councillors will be on-hand to answer questions. Locals are also asked to have their say on what facilities they would like to see in the new centre. The launch will run from 9.30am to 3pm and the local produce market will be in the village hall from 9am until midday.
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